Transmigration: The Peerless Immortal Husband

After Tian Feirong sent the Grand Elder off and returned, he saw that Gu Yao was holding the Beixing Grass and examining it. He explained, “I heard from the little fatty that there is a place on the Beixing Sect’s territory suitable for the growth of Beixing Grass. However, while the Beixing Grass is effective for curing demonic obsession, its effect is limited. It might be because it can only be consumed directly and cannot be used in pill refinement.”

The Beixing Grass in Gu Yao’s hand was indeed of considerable age, having grown for over two thousand years. Even if consumed directly, it should have a strong effect. It was rare for the Beixing Sect to offer such a valuable item in exchange for pills, perhaps because they knew other things would be hard to impress Gu Yao.

“This Beixing Grass is quite good,” Gu Yao said. “I’ll consider that incomplete formula carefully.” Gu Yao really liked the Beixing Grass. He hadn’t planned to make things difficult for the Beixing Sect, especially since they had offered something that truly piqued his interest. A pill that benefits the soul was extremely rare, and even though his soul was strong, he still desired to strengthen it further. Additionally, it would also be beneficial to those around him.

Gu Yao happily placed the Beixing Grass into his space. This particular plant had clearly just been harvested, as it still had mature spores that could be used to cultivate new Beixing Grass. As for the incomplete formula for the Beixing Pill, Gu Yao also left a copy for Xu Chen. When handing it over, he asked, “Does the Pill Pavilion have this formula?”

Xu Chen wanted to be tough but eventually responded flatly, “No, but once you restore it, we’ll have it.”

Whenever Gu Yao obtained a new pill formula, the Pill Pavilion would keep a copy as well. This was likely how the Pavilion accumulated its vast collection of rich materials through the hands of several generations of Pavilion Masters.

Gu Yao didn’t intend to show off. He just thought that if the Pill Pavilion already had it, it would save him time. If the Pavilion didn’t have it, it would further highlight the value of this formula. For just a few top-grade pills, he had gotten his hands on this incomplete formula. In his view, it was a very profitable trade.

With tasks to accomplish, Gu Yao didn’t stay in Alchemist’s Cauldron City for long. After exchanging his contribution points for a batch of rare spirit herbs at the guild, he bid farewell to everyone and left. He also left a copy of the incomplete formula behind. While Hu Ting and the others were reluctant to see him go, the Tianfu Market had already established a branch, so staying in touch would still be convenient in the future.

As many cultivators and various factions in Alchemist’s Cauldron City were trying to find ways to approach Gu Yao, he and his group had already quietly left, and only after that was the news released. Many people were filled with regret, pounding their chests and lamenting. According to the information that came out, the only person who had met Gu Yao in person so far was the Grand Elder of the Beixing Sect, who had personally gone to request an audience.

Fortunately, the next Immortal Ascension Conference was approaching, and many cultivators were eagerly preparing to join Tianfu Academy. It was easy to imagine how bustling the scene would be at that time.

On their way back to the academy, Gu Yao had a sudden idea and said, “Could I post a bounty at the main guild? I’d offer a promise of refining pills within my skill range in exchange for a good body refining technique.”

This idea came from the exchange involving the Beixing Grass. It seemed far more reliable than simply relying on luck. Although body refining cultivators were rare on Tianlin Continent, it wasn’t impossible that someone might have a good technique.

Chi Changye smirked and said, “Good idea. If that’s not enough, I’ll throw in two thunder-type spirit talismans as well.”

Tian Feirong and the little fatty looked at each other and facepalmed. They were both stunned. Although they had also felt the benefits of body refining from the Starry Body Technique, they hadn’t expected Gu Yao’s desire for body refining to be so strong that he would offer a pledge to get a technique. Once the news got out, no one would believe that the technique was meant for Gu Yao himself.

Gu Yao glared at them. “What’s wrong with you two? Haven’t you ever seen how powerful the Golden Core Tribulation is? You have to think long-term. Body refining is not something that produces results overnight.”

It required consistent effort and accumulation day by day.

“Alright, we support you,” they immediately changed their tune, excitement gleaming in their eyes. Gu Yao was right. They had to think about the future, and it wasn’t impossible for them to break through to the Golden Core.

So, after returning to Tianfu Academy, Tian Feirong went to the Pill Master Branch at the market to announce Gu Yao’s bounty. Although the branch leader was a bit taken aback by the announcement, there was no way to stop it, so the bounty was posted there, and the message was sent to the main guild. Before long, the entire continent knew about this bounty, triggering a wave of searches for body refining techniques.

At the same time, Tianfu Academy launched a massive planting initiative. The academy’s higher-ups provided favorable conditions and called on students who met the criteria to join in the cultivation of spirit herbs. Many cultivators who weren’t particularly good at combat but wanted a peaceful life joined in, especially with the attractive rewards, including several students that Gu Yao knew.

When Tian Feirong returned from the Pill Master Branch, she said, “Do you remember Bai Xiu’er, our junior? She has quite the talent in planting. I heard she rented over a hundred acres of spirit fields by herself and even hired help to assist her. She’s already a big player in planting at our academy.”

Bai Xiu’er? Gu Yao certainly remembered her. She had entered Tianfu Academy in the same batch as him. He also recalled that Bai Xiu’er had a special bloodline, clearly coming from a lineage of descendants, which likely gave her a unique talent for cultivating rare flowers and herbs, especially making flower cakes.

As Gu Yao listened to the gossip and pondered over the incomplete formula, he continued his research. Of course, cultivation was a daily task he never neglected. Since Chi Changye had already reached the Golden Core, Gu Yao didn’t want to fall too far behind and was determined to reach the Golden Core as soon as possible.

The reason Gu Yao left a copy of the incomplete formula for Hu Ting before his departure was that he hadn’t intended to keep it as a personal treasure. If he could restore it, it would be another valuable addition for the Pill Master Guild.

However, it was clear that Gu Yao was making progress faster here, because he wasn’t working alone. He had Xu Chen, whose alchemy skills were much higher than his own, and the Pill Hall had many valuable collections. These included works related to alchemical principles and soul refining techniques. With these resources, Gu Yao was effectively standing on the shoulders of giants, which naturally allowed him to progress much faster and farther than others.

Time passed quickly, and when the formula for the Beixing Pill began to take shape, the new round of the Immortal Ascension Conference was about to begin. Before this, Tianfu Academy had already recruited some body cultivation cultivators, leading outsiders to believe that the academy was shifting its focus. However, over time, it became clear that Tianfu Academy had some special methods for improving the quality of spiritual fields and increasing the yield of spirit herbs, which had significantly boosted the academy’s income.

No one, however, connected these changes to Gu Yao, as the academy’s higher-ups were keeping it secret.

But this wasn’t the only change. The large formation on Sword Peak had also been completed, and the first batch of students who entered for trials had returned. Dean Yu and Elder Yi were delighted to find that their energy and spirit had improved significantly after the trials, especially in their swordsmanship.

The investment was considerable, but the results were remarkable. This caused people from Martial Peak to constantly attempt to recruit students from Sword Peak. When they couldn’t lure them away, they tried to ask Chi Changye for help in setting up a similar training area on Martial Peak to improve the combat abilities of their disciples. After all, Martial Peak focused on combat cultivation, and if they were to be overshadowed by Sword Peak in the future, it would be a huge loss of face.

The academy’s recruitment team and senior officials had already set off, and before they reached Shifang City, they received a message from the academy. The people on the flying artifact were overjoyed. “The secret place has finally shown signs of activity! It’s Elder Fang! Elder Fang is about to break through to the Golden Core and face the tribulation!”

“What about Peak Master Cai?”

“Peak Master Cai has also exited the secret place early to avoid the Heavenly Tribulation, I heard his condition is quite good, and he has a strong chance of breaking through to the Golden Core.”

“That’s great!”

Not only did they receive the news, but cultivators traveling to Shifang City from all over also got wind of it. The entire city was buzzing with excitement, speculating that Tianfu Academy might gain another Golden Core cultivator.

Thus, as the Immortal Ascension Conference began, Tianfu Academy quickly took the lead, leaving all other factions far behind. All the young cultivators who arrived were inquiring about the qualifications needed to join Tianfu Academy, eager to be among the first to enter. Many had already set their sights on Sword Peak.

In a secret room in the Lord’s Manor in Shifang City, a thin and gaunt cultivator suddenly coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of dark blood. A layer of greyish death aura shrouded his face, but he clung to life, barely hanging on.

The door to the secret room opened, and a cultivator walked in. Without raising his head, the coughing cultivator gritted his teeth and said, “Meng, this time, your Changxian Sect should step in and solve the problem, right? Aren’t you afraid of raising a tiger only to have it become a disaster?”

The person who entered was none other than Lord Meng, and the cultivator in the room was none other than the missing Sect Master Hong. Remembering what had happened to the Qianxue Sect, Sect Master Hong hated Tianfu Academy and the betrayers from the Qianxue Sect, including Elder Jin. His anger also extended to Lord Meng.

Had it not been for his current frail condition, relying on Lord Meng’s help, and the need for the Changxian Sect to send him a life-saving medicine, he would have already torn his relationship with Meng apart. It was only due to the severe injuries that had crippled his strength that he hadn’t done so.

He had only allied with Lord Meng for the sake of a promise, but now, not only had he received no benefits, but he had nearly lost his life in the process.

Lord Meng tossed a bottle of medicine over, and Sect Master Hong hurriedly snatched it up. He opened it and poured the contents into his mouth, finally showing a slight expression of relief on his face.

Ironically, the medicine in the bottle was made by none other than Gu Yao himself. Gu Yao was partially responsible for Sect Master Hong’s current injuries, yet Sect Master Hong had no choice but to rely on the top-grade pill made by Gu Yao to alleviate his condition.

“Raise a tiger and it becomes a disaster? Well, they have to be worthy of being called a tiger first,” Lord Meng sneered. “As long as our Changxian Sect sends a high-level Golden Core cultivator, who cares about the so-called number one on the continent? Hah!”

He was eager to rid himself of these people as soon as possible. Their existence not only disrupted the plans of the Changxian Sect but also jeopardized his own mission. He had no idea what kind of punishment he would face from his sect, and he feared it might bring harm to his relatives in the Changxian Sect as well.